Quick-Change Tips, Tricks, and Solutions
Quick-Change Tips, Tricks, and Solutions
Quick-Change Tips, Tricks, and Solutions
By Rylee Vogel
As an audience member, watching an actor walk on the stage and immediately reappear in a completely different look is one of the most captivating moments in theater. Quick changes add a layer of intrigue and wonder to any production. However, for the cast and crew in the wings, these costume changes can be among the most stressful elements of a show. When you only have seconds before the next scene begins, buttoning up a shirt or lacing up a bodice is simply not an option.
Mastering the quick-change requires strategy, coordination, and a lot of rehearsal. Here are some essential strategies and setup ideas to help make your quick-changes smoother and more successful.
Layers
Layering is one of the most effective and common quick-change techniques. By stacking different costume pieces over one another, actors can remove or reveal new outfits easily. The average theater viewer would be shocked to discover just how many different costumes a single actor might be wearing at once! Some of the most iconic quick-changes rely on layering. Take Elle Woods’ transformation in the opening number of Legally Blonde (spoiler alert!): she removes a white outfit to reveal a “newly bought” pink dress underneath in under three seconds. This change would be physically impossible to pull off otherwise!
Quick-Rigging Costumes
Quick-rigging a costume refers to altering, designing, or changing costumes specifically for speed. These solutions can range from simple fixes to complex construction techniques, depending on your time, budget, and production needs. Simple methods are usually applied after a garment has been constructed and includes things like swapping buttons for Velcro, adding zippers, or removing shoe buckles. These solutions are great for the majority of changes. More advanced solutions involve building components like sewn-in petticoats or pull-away pieces that instantly alter the piece’s appearance.
Broadway’s Frozen and Cinderella are famous for their magical onstage transformations in front of audiences (a whole other challenge), and both rely on quick-rigged pieces that were designed specifically to create an impressive costume change moment. Quick-rigging works best when there is collaboration across the board. Directors, designers, actors, and crew must all be on the same page to pull off these transformations successfully.
Many Hands Make Light Work
In professional settings, theaters will often employ dressers. This is a crew member who is specifically responsible for helping actors change in and out of complex costumes. Some dressers are assigned to a single performer, while others assist with multiple cast members throughout the show. It all depends on the individual production’s needs.
For example, in The Lion King on Broadway, dressers are imperative because the actors are often switching between different costumes and puppet pieces. The costumes in this show specifically are impossible for the actors to put on without assistance. When hiring dressers is not an option, either due to budget or there simply not being enough quick-changes to make them necessary, the task of dressing often falls on other cast or crew members. With several people helping simultaneously, a change can happen more efficiently and consistently.
Rehearsal and Tech
Perhaps the most important part of creating a successful quick-change is the preparation. Much like a dance would never be put on stage unchoreographed, a quick-change should be well planned and rehearsed. Each moment should be mapped out ahead of time to promote speed and to create a level of comfort with the actor. Create a plan with your cast and crew during the rehearsal process. Everyone involved in the change should know where to stand, in what order pieces are removed or added, and how each individual costume functions.
Once choreographed, quick-changes should be practiced during tech rehearsals to work out any issues and to build confidence. This will ensure a smooth performance and reduce a lot of stress and uncertainty.
Where We Come In: The Set Up
Having a great set up can help save critical seconds when creating a tricky costume change. Dedicated dressing rooms and designated changing areas are often not an option in schools, but these stations can be created with a little bit of creativity. For quick-changes, organization is key. Making sure that costumes and props are properly organized and accessible will expedite the changing process.
A great solution for costume storage and transport is the Rack ‘n Roll® Garment Rack by Wenger. This is a portable garment rack that can be used to organize costumes and props. The rack also features upper and lower shelves and additional storage baskets that can hold props and accessories, making it a versatile solution.
The Rack ‘n Roll is ideal for backstage areas because two units can be set up with the optional privacy screen to create a temporary changing room, right where you need it most. This is ideal for creating comfort and privacy backstage in a moment that can feel very exposed. Using the Rack ‘n Roll to organize costumes and create a designated changing place is a great way to start building your quick-change space.
Another key component of a quick-change station is a place to quickly touch-up hair and makeup. Wenger’s Backstage® Makeup Station is a simple, portable solution. These are large head-to-shoulder mirrors, built with lights that do not cast a shadow while working. Because the mirrors are portable, several units can be set up on tables backstage, or in the quick-change station.
Putting it all together
A successful quick-change is the result of layering, rigging, collaboration, preparation, and organization. When costumes are layered smartly, actors are already halfway into their next look. When garments are quick-rigged, transitions happen (literally) in a flash. When multiple hands pitch in, the workload becomes manageable. And when everything is rehearsed and set up for success, the quick-change transforms from a daunting task to a choreographed routine. By incorporating these techniques and investing in the right equipment you’ll help your performers feel more confident and your show run more smoothly. When the audience is in awe of a seamless transition, you will truly know it is the result of hard work and effort in the wings.
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Welcome to our “In the Wings” blog at Wenger. Of course, you’ve known Wenger since you stepped foot on the theatre stage or sang your heart out standing on the choral risers. Now as a performing arts educator, you’re molding and guiding performers every day, and we’d love to help. You can subscribe, or follow us on social channels so you never miss a post.
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